Turntable assembly for sewing machines



March 31, 1953 c. L. QUALLER TURNTABLE ASSEMBLY FOR sswmc MACHINES Filed Sept. 19, 1951 2 SI-lEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR.

CL/FFan leura/4m March 31, 1953 c. L. QUALLER TURNTABLE ASSEMBLY FOR SEWING MACHINES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1951 Patented Mar. 31, 1953 TURNTABLE ASSEMBLY FOR SEWING iMACHINES Clifiord L. Qualler, Racine, Wis., fassignor to George Gorton Machine Company, Racine, Wis.,"a corporation of Wisconsin Application .September19, 1951, SeriaIINo. 247339 *8 Claims. '(Cl. 311-12,)

The inventionrelates to turntable particularly adapted for use with pantograph mechanisms; and the nature and objects of the invention will be :readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates, from the following-explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I at presentbelieve tobe a preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of .the invention from among various other .embodiments, expressions, designs, combinations, andconstructions, of which the invention is capable within the broad spirit and scope thereof as defined 305' the claims hereto appended.

More specifically, the invention is directed .to and deals with ,a turntable for mounting and positioning a sewing machine .head in combination with a hoop work holder actuatedlby pantographic movement transmitting mechanisms of the two-dimensional types in which the pantograph component of the mechanism is formed of pairs of parallel links or bars suitably pivotally connected together to provide a parallelogram form of movement transmitting linkage adapted. to .be pivot-ally mounted or hung for movements through a plane parallel with .a working surface, for transmitting and translating .movements applied at one point of the parallelogram linkage from a tracer .or .style, as movements of another point .on the linkage in scaled reproduction of the movements transmitted to the linkage.

The primary object of thisparticular invention provides a turntable having .a spring-mounted indexing .and locking member with the table rotatably mounted in .a support and mounting a sewing machine head. The turntable may be manually swung to a predetermined position in a horizontal plane depending upon the shape of the workheldby the hoop work holder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a turntable for mounting and positioning a sewing machine .head in combination with a hoop work 'holder actuated by pantographic transmitting mechanism of the two-dimensional type with the turntable having spaced indexing notches adjacent its circumferential edge and having a spring-mounted indexing "and locking member adaptable for temporary engagement 'at predetermin'ed selected intervals in one or another oi the notches and having, in addition, a fixed pointer on the top surface of the turntable in close proximity to the indexing member with a stitch guide to show the angle at which the stitches are being made in the fabric-relative to the position of the turntable locked in one or another of the notches.

.2 A matter of much interest and :of utmost importance has been the realization that the turntable of the instant .invention together with its associated mechanism, other than the sewin machine head, has a comparatively trouble .free

existence. There are times, though, that thesewing machine head needs attention and the occasion arises when a new .head must be substituted for the one in use. .Some means are necessary to center the sewing machine needle so that as the turntable is swung from :station .to station. the needle always maintains its same centering position whereby .the stitching is carriedon irom one componentto .anothencomponentof theparits making :up .an initial. .This =.c.entering is properly arranged through the .use of 1a compensating bar which is constructed .in combination with the turntable.

In the present example, ,a hoop work holder retains a piece of fabric, such as .a handkerchief,

and through the action of a pantograph .mechanism, .moves the .fabric relative to the needle 0'3 a sewing machine, so as to cause the needle to embroider, stitch or sew .a desi n, such as an initial, on the fabric in .precise but reduced scale' reproduction of .a pattern is scanned by 'a tracer attached to the pantograph. The stitch-' ing iol-lows a straight ,path and i of certain desired width. When it becomes necessary to deviate from such straight path, it is necessary to rearrange the direction in which the stitches are .being made by the needle so that the stitches themselves are placed at the same angle on the, fabric regardless of how the initial isbeing formed on the fabric. Take for instance the letter The forming of the straight edge component of the letter is easily carried out by moving the fabric at right angles to the up and down movement of the .needle. 'The stitches are close and:

are placed at apredetermined angle on'the fabric. Now if it becomes necessary to form the components of the inside of the 'letterM, it becomes necessary 'to form such inside components 'at an angle to the straight edge component. The needle beingfixed and moving-inn straight up and down path must berearranged to cause the stitches to be placed at substantially the same angle as on the straight component. is readily carried out :by "moving the turntable and accordingly the sewing machine head.

'With the foregoinggeneral objects, and eerram' other objects, features andresults in view which will be readily recognized from the following detailed description and explanation, my invention:

consists in certain novel features in design and construction, and in, combinations and sub-com;

binations of parts and components, making up a mechanism of the invention, as will be more fully and particularly referred to in and specifled hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures thereof:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a turntable and associated mechanism made in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of such turntable and associated mechanism, the view being taken from one end of Figure 1.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, the turntable, designated by the numeral I0, is used with an adjustable pantograph mechanism H, and a linkage arrangement [2, associated therewith for transmitting movement from the pantograph mechanism to a work holder, not shown, but readily understood in the art.

The pantograph H is of parallelogram form for movement transmitting operation by a tracer T over a pattern mounted on a pattern table l3. A rectangularly shaped supporting table I4 of substantial thickness is mounted above the pattern table I3 and has an arcuately shaped opening l of substantial size out entirely through its top and bottom surfaces and positioned adjacent one end.

The top surface of the free end iii of the table l4 remote from the opening i5 provides space for mounting and securing the linkage l2. The bottom surface ll of the table i4 and adjacent the opening l5 has mounted thereon, a bracket t8, through the medium of any suitable fastening elements. This bracket 18 has a downwardly depending flange 19 with a fan shaped member 20 extending outwardly and away from flange ii! at substantially right angles and below the opening IS. The free end of section 20 is bored at 2| and arranged to receive one end of a bearing, designated by the numeral 22, the free end of the bearing projecting upwardly and away from the section 20.

A second cradle shaped bracket 23 is positioned above and parallel to the bracket l8. This bracket 23 has a substantially flat bottom surface 24 which is bored and of such size to receive the free end of the bearing 22. In operation the bracket 23 rotates around the bearing 22 and is separated from the bracket 18 by a spacer 25 which surrounds the bearing 22 between bracket l8 and 23.

The top of the bracket 23 includes a rectangularly shaped open section 26 separated from the bottom surface 24 by spaced walls 21. This section 26 has an internal flange 28 extending clear around its rectangularly shaped surface and of such width as to readily support the base of a sewing machine head not shown. The top surface 29 of section 26 is fiat and extends slightly above the opening l5. The turntable i0 is mounted on the surface 29 and secured to bracket 23 by suitable fastening elements 30.

This turntable comprises a flat circular shaped steel plate of great area, which, when mounted on bracket 23 covers a substantial area of the table 14 and all of the opening I5. The turntable I0 is also provided with an opening 3| rectangularly shaped and of such size to completely expose the entire internal flange 23 of section 26.

The table l4, relative to the opening [5, has a flange 32 extending around its open edge which forms a channel for receiving a circular shaped metal strip 33 which is fastened to flange 32 by fastening elements 34 and slightly overlaps the flange 32 along its entire surface. This overlap is indicated by the numeral 35.

The free ends of the bracket 23 has spaced fingers 36 each of which is arranged to retain a pin 56 upon which a roller 5| is mounted. These rollers rest and are freely supported on the metal strip 33 and, as the bracket rotates about the bearing 22, such rollers travel freely over the top surface of the strip 33.

Spaced notches 31 are arranged along the bottom surface of the metal strip 33 and extend upwardly just short of the top surface of the strip. The reason such notches do not extend through the top surface of the strip is because any breaks in the top surface of the strip might interfere with the free movement of the rollers over the top surface of the strip.

The bracket 23 is provided with a longitudinally.

extending vertical opening to receive and hold temporarily a spring-mounted indexing and looking member 38. This member extends upwardly through an enlarged opening in the turntable l6 and includes a tubularly shaped housing 39 having an internal enlarged opening 40 at the tip and a smaller opening 4| extending down-' wardly from such opening 46.

Disposed within a portion of the opening 40' is a finger push element 42 and a spring 43.

Attached to the element 42, is a long shaft 44- which extends downwardly and beyond the housing 39. A shoe 45 is mounted on the free end of the shaft 44 and is of such width and depth that it may readily engage in one or another of the notches 3? or be readily disengaged therefrom.

As this particular turntable and associated mechanism is to be used with a sewing machine head and as the stitches are made at an angle, some indicating means is desirable to illustrate the angle at which the stitches are being placed with respect to the work. I, therefore, flnd it practical to secure a stitch indicating dial 46 on the top surface of the turntable l0 and im-' mediately adjacent the locking member 31. The

locking member 38, and the stitch indicating dial having the angle of the stitch represented by the numeral 46a being positioned relative to the initial position of the needle, the angle of the stitch is always indicated regardless of which station on the table 16 is being used.

The turntable ID and associated mechanism is, under regular operating standards, trouble free or nearly so over a long period of time. During such period, the possibility arises of substituting a new sewing machine head. The

proper centering of the needle with respect to the work holder is of utmost importance. Itj

becomes necessary, therefore, to provide some compensating device with the turntable to take care of the various arranged sewing heads. This compensating device is designated by the numeral Z8 and comprises a flat bar 49 which is positioned directly below bracket 23. The bar has a, threaded hole 30 at each end through its flat surface to receive a screw 6! which passes up through a hole 62 formed in each end of the bracket 23. The holes in the bracket have an area of size greater than the holes 60. The base 53 of a hinge 54 is mounted above each of the holes 52 and retains the head of the screw 6| in:

a threaded hole in each .of such hinge bases. Each of the holes in the hinge support are substantially the same size of the holes in the bar 59. The hinge Ed is pivotally mounted on the hinge support with its iree end secured to a sewing machine head not shown. The advantage of the bar arrangement as disclosed is such that when .it becomes necessary to initially'cen-F ter theneedle relative to the work, all an operator has to do is to loosen the-screws 6! .so that the bar may be pushed longitudinally or sideways and accordingly move the hinge support of the hinge. The degree of movement is determined by the size of hole 82. It is understood of course that the direction of the movement of the bar and hinge support is directly transmitted to the sewing machine head, which also may be shifted or adjusted to the correct center point.

The turntable of my present invention has been disclosed in operative connection with a pantograph and associated linkage of a. specific form for arrangement with sewing machine head connecting structure, primarily for the purpose of giving an illustration of a mechanism which can be operated with my turntable. However, it is not intended by the illustrated example to limit the use of the turntable to association with any particular mechanism or organization, as the turntable of the invention is intended for use in any association or for any purpose for which it may be adapted.

It is also evident that various modifications, substitutions, eliminations and additions may be resorted to without departing from the broad spirit and scope of my invention, and hence, I do not desire or intend to limit the invention in all respects to the exact disclosures of the specific example thereof herein presented, except as may be required by specific, intended limitations thereto in certain of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. In combination, a turntable assembly, said assembly including a support provided with a circular channel, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one of said brackets fixed to said support, the other bracket rotatably mounted on said fixed bracket, said cover plate secured to said rotatable bracket, a fiat metal strip disposed in said channel, said rotatable bracket arranged to bear on said strip and to pass along said strip as the rotatable bracket rotates on said fixed bracket, said strip provided with spaced notches, locking means on said rotatable bracket arranged to engage one or another of said notches as said rotatable bracket passes on said strip.

2. In combination, a turntable assembly, said assembly including a support provided with a circular channel, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one of said brackets fixed to said support, the other of said brackets rotatable on said fixed support, a cover plate mounted on the free end of said rotatable bracket, rollers mounted on said rotatable bracket, said rollers mounted in said channel and arranged to move in said channel as said rotatable bracket rotates about said fixed bracket.

3. In combination, a turntable assembly, said assembly including a support provided with a circular shaped channel, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one of said brackets fixed to said support, the other of said brackets rotatably mounted on said fixed bracket, said cover plate secured to said rotatable bracket, a fiat metal strip disposed in said channel, spaced rollers mounted on said rotatable bracket said rollers being mounted in said channel and arranged for movement over said strip as said rotatable bracket rotates about said fixed bracket, said strip provided with spaced notches, locking means on said rotatable bracket arranged to engage =one or another of said n'otches as :said rotatable bracket passes over said strip.

4. In combination, a turntable assembly -for mounting and swinging a sewing machine head, said assembly including 'a-support provided with a circular channel, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one "of said brackets fixed to said support, the other of saidbrackets :rotatably mounted on said fixed bracket, said cover plate secured to said rotatable bracket, a fiat metal strip disposed in said channel and overlapping the outside edge of said channel, spaced notches cut in the bottom surface of said strip, spaced rollers mounted on said rotatable bracket and arranged for movement over the top surface of said strip as said rotatable bracket rotates about said fixed bracket, locking means on said rotatable bracket arranged to engage one or another of said notches as said rotatable bracket passes over said strip.

5. In combination, a turntable assembly, said assembly including a support provided with a circular shaped channel, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one of said brackets fixed to said support, the other of said brackets rotatably mounted on said fixed bracket, said cover plate secured to said rotatable bracket, a fiat metal strip disposed in said channel, spaced rollers mounted on said rotatable bracket said rollers being mounted in said channel and arranged for movement over said strip as said rotatable bracket rotates about said fixed bracket, said strip provided with notches, locking means on said rotatable bracket arranged to engage one or another of said notches as said rotatable bracket passes over said strip, a compensating bar, said bar adj ustably mounted on said rotatable bracket.

6. In combination, a turntable assembly for mounting and swinging a sewing machine head, said assembly including a support provided with a circular shaped channel, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one of said brackets fixed to said support, the other of said brackets rotatably mounted on said fixed bracket, said cover plate secured to said rotatable bracket, a metal strip secured in said channel and overlapping the outside edge of said channel, said strip having spaced notches in its bottom surface, spaced rollers mounted on said rotatable bracket and arranged for movement over the top surface of said strip as said rotatable bracket rotates about said fixed bracket, locking means mounted on said rotatable bracket, said locking means including a tubular member protruding above said cover plate a spring tensioned shaft within the tubular member and having a shoe at one end, said shoe arranged to engage one or another of said notches as said rotatable bracket passes over said strip, a compensating bar, said bar adjustably mounted on said bracket.

'7. In combination, a turntable assembly, said assembly including a support, a cover plate and a pair of brackets, one of said brackets fixed to the support, the other of said brackets rotatably mounted on said fixed bracket, said cover plate being mounted on the rotatable bracket, said support having a surface area on which the rotatable bracket rides, said cover plate being rotated along with the rotatable bracket.

8. A turntable assembly comprising a support having an opening therein, a bracket located inthe opening and being secured to the support, a second bracket located in said support opening and rotatably mounted on the first bracket, a cover plate mounted on the rotatable bracket, an arcuate ledge formed in the support, said second bracket having engagement with the ledge whereby to ride along said ledge whenever rotated relative to the first bracket, said cover plate being rotated along with the rotatable bracket.

CLIFFORD L. QUALLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Keough Nov. 16, 1897 Parkes Dec. 1, 1914 Shaw Apr. 15, 1919 Seymour Nov. 11, 1919 Corrall Jan. 27, 1920 Williams Nov. 7, 1950 Turner et a1 May 20, 1952 

